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James O'Brien

Hockey Daily Dose

Skimping on D

It has been a while since the NHL schedule makers sandwiched a scant amount of games in between a ton of them. It almost feels nostalgic.

During normal seasons, it’s not that unusual to see what we’ve seen in the last three days: 10 games on Sunday, just two on Monday and then 11 on Tuesday.

Squeezing more games into less time has changed that, but it reminds me of normal seasons where Tuesdays,, Thursdays and Saturdays often represented the evenings where you had to make tough bench vs. start decisions while Monday and Wednesday were the light nights and Friday were wildcards.

The ebbs and flows of each week present some interesting strategies, particularly during this condensed schedule.

SKIMPING ON D

In one league, I decided that carrying four defensemen with a very limited amount of roster space was just a bad numbers move. Why not load up on forwards (and grab as many goalies as needed) who rack up more useful numbers, instead? Simply put, I feel like there is so much more value in mid-level forwards than there is in run-of-the-mill defensemen.

As far as I can tell, it’s working out so far, but I’d love to find out if it’s really worth it in a season-in, season-out kind of way. I’ve used that strategy even when it wasn’t as safe of a choice and I think it has worked out, yet I’d like to know if it’s really true.

If you’re the number-crunching type, feel free to let me know if it makes statistical sense to replace a middling defenseman with a medium-level forward. Even if you’re statistically averse, I’d love to find out if you’ve also employed that strategy yourself. With those possibilities in mind, drop me a line on Twitter or via e-mail detailing your thoughts, numbers or experiences regarding the idea of rolling the dice with a move that looks strange but can give you an important edge.

His $8.25 million cap hit ties with Eric Staal for fourth overall in the NHL, but the most important factor is that he has a no-movement clause that immediately registers. That means you won’t have to worry about him being traded if the Ducks hit a big wall heading toward the trade deadline.

There are plenty of interesting things to consider, including Getzlaf’s motivation. Is he going to produce the same great work now that he doesn’t have his financial future hanging in the balance? The big, talented forward has been known for hot-and-cold streaks, so it’s not a crazy question.

PONDERING PERRY

Still, it’s natural to think of what becomes the bigger question: what does this mean for his partner-in-crime Corey Perry? The Ducks are known for being a low-to-mid level budget team, so if the trend of the two power forwards getting paid the same amount continues,* can they really afford $16.5 million per year between the two of them? (And considering Perry’s Hart Trophy bragging rights, one might argue he’s worth even more than Getzlaf.)

Then again, at least the Ducks and Perry have an obvious figure - and parallel contract - to point to.

It’s easy to look at the Ducks’ success and think that they will be fine without Perry, but consider the context. Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne are nearing the end of their careers, if not participating in their final seasons. In many cases, other players are reaping the rewards of playing aside the duo. Beyond Bobby Ryan, there simply isn’t anyone else on the team in Perry and Getzlaf’s zip code.

One way or another, Perry’s situation could make for an intriguing trade deadline storyline. Aside from Jarome Iginla’s mysterious future, there aren’t many great hypotheticals for fans to ponder, so imagining the polarizing (but gifted) forward in other climes could be an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Follow the jump for more.

* Both register a cap hit of $5.325 million on their soon-to-expire second deals.

It has been a while since the NHL schedule makers sandwiched a scant amount of games in between a ton of them. It almost feels nostalgic.

During normal seasons, it’s not that unusual to see what we’ve seen in the last three days: 10 games on Sunday, just two on Monday and then 11 on Tuesday.

Squeezing more games into less time has changed that, but it reminds me of normal seasons where Tuesdays,, Thursdays and Saturdays often represented the evenings where you had to make tough bench vs. start decisions while Monday and Wednesday were the light nights and Friday were wildcards.

The ebbs and flows of each week present some interesting strategies, particularly during this condensed schedule.

SKIMPING ON D

In one league, I decided that carrying four defensemen with a very limited amount of roster space was just a bad numbers move. Why not load up on forwards (and grab as many goalies as needed) who rack up more useful numbers, instead? Simply put, I feel like there is so much more value in mid-level forwards than there is in run-of-the-mill defensemen.

As far as I can tell, it’s working out so far, but I’d love to find out if it’s really worth it in a season-in, season-out kind of way. I’ve used that strategy even when it wasn’t as safe of a choice and I think it has worked out, yet I’d like to know if it’s really true.

If you’re the number-crunching type, feel free to let me know if it makes statistical sense to replace a middling defenseman with a medium-level forward. Even if you’re statistically averse, I’d love to find out if you’ve also employed that strategy yourself. With those possibilities in mind, drop me a line on Twitter or via e-mail detailing your thoughts, numbers or experiences regarding the idea of rolling the dice with a move that looks strange but can give you an important edge.

His $8.25 million cap hit ties with Eric Staal for fourth overall in the NHL, but the most important factor is that he has a no-movement clause that immediately registers. That means you won’t have to worry about him being traded if the Ducks hit a big wall heading toward the trade deadline.

There are plenty of interesting things to consider, including Getzlaf’s motivation. Is he going to produce the same great work now that he doesn’t have his financial future hanging in the balance? The big, talented forward has been known for hot-and-cold streaks, so it’s not a crazy question.

PONDERING PERRY

Still, it’s natural to think of what becomes the bigger question: what does this mean for his partner-in-crime Corey Perry? The Ducks are known for being a low-to-mid level budget team, so if the trend of the two power forwards getting paid the same amount continues,* can they really afford $16.5 million per year between the two of them? (And considering Perry’s Hart Trophy bragging rights, one might argue he’s worth even more than Getzlaf.)

Then again, at least the Ducks and Perry have an obvious figure - and parallel contract - to point to.

It’s easy to look at the Ducks’ success and think that they will be fine without Perry, but consider the context. Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne are nearing the end of their careers, if not participating in their final seasons. In many cases, other players are reaping the rewards of playing aside the duo. Beyond Bobby Ryan, there simply isn’t anyone else on the team in Perry and Getzlaf’s zip code.

One way or another, Perry’s situation could make for an intriguing trade deadline storyline. Aside from Jarome Iginla’s mysterious future, there aren’t many great hypotheticals for fans to ponder, so imagining the polarizing (but gifted) forward in other climes could be an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Follow the jump for more.

* Both register a cap hit of $5.325 million on their soon-to-expire second deals.

BUMPS AND BRUISES FOR BOSTON, OTTAWA

Again, there were only two games on Monday, but at least one of them supplied several memorable moments. That game was the Boston Bruins’ 3-2 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators.

While Kaspars Daugavins’ unsuccessful-yet-amazing shootout attempt will dominate the highlight reels, controversial hits dominated much of the night.

It started with Adam McQuaid’s boarding check on Chris Neil, who seemed banged up. He wasn’t hurt that badly, however, as he then landed a questionable knee-to-knee on Chris Kelly, who didn’t return to the game. (Stay tuned for updates on him.)

There were some other shaky moments, but the one that stood out the most came when Milan Lucic caught Zack Smith with a hit some would also have a problem with. So far, it seems like Kelly is the biggest injury concern overall.

In case you’re wondering, the Bruins and Senators meet three more times this season. Judging by the (arguably) dirty nature of Monday’s contest, don’t be surprised if at least the next game is a boon for PIMs.

Jamie Benn seemingly is dealing with a wrist injury rather than a concussion. Sounds like there’s an outside chance he might play tonight, but don’t bet on it. The same goes for Ray Whitney (foot) … Tyler Ennis is day-to-day with an upper-body injury … No timetable for Joffrey Lupul, who’s recovering from surgery. Still, it’s positive news that he skated yesterday … Nice night for multi-use forward Dustin Brown, who scored two goals in another Los Angeles Kings win … Devan Dubnyk is day-to-day as well, with a head injury … Guillaume Latendresse scored a goal in his return from injury. Meanwhile, Milan Michalek seems to have had a setback with his knee problems … Mike Richards is day-to-day with an undisclosed issue … Both Patric Hornqvist and Colin Wilson were placed on the IR, yet labeled day-to-day … Brent Burns’ leg injury might clear up soon. He’s been terrible this season, although the skill says he’s at least worth monitoring.